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#3 It would seem that Detroit wins the contest with Chicago when population is factored in. It appears the rate in Detroit is higher than in Chicago. Detroit numbers do not include 25 killings deemed justifiable. In Chicago, no killings are deemed justifiable with a firearm even in self-defence.

That area of the city, he said, has more than 2,000 parolees and probationers and was a hotbed for killings in the past year.

The Reverend wants more livable wages. The mayor wants more dialogue with Public Schools. The research associate wants more grant-funded initiatives. The Police Chief wants more help from the 4-Ps. (Press, principals, preachers, parents) And not one mentions of GANGS. Odd aint it?

I believe gangs are, for adolescent boys, a natural substitute for family, especially family with a father figure. This is purely conjectural on my part and I would appreciate any 'real' support or rejection of the concept, but it certainly does fit observations.